Open Topic, Army SBIR | Army STTR, Phase I
xTech|Search 10 Competition
The U.S. Army is seeking innovative technology solutions from eligible small businesses across the U.S. through the Expeditionary Technology Search (xTech|Search) competition. This platform offers participants the opportunity to pitch novel technology solutions—whether a new application for an existing technology or an entirely new technology concept—to the Army, engage with the Department of War (DoW), earn prize money, join an accelerator program and submit a Phase I Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposal.
NOTE: This topic number, ARM26BX05-NP011 (SBIR) and ARM26TX05-NP002 (STTR) – xTech|Search 10, in this release is tied to an Army xTech prize competition, xTech|Search 10. xTech|Search 10 will be used to identify small business concerns that meet the criteria for a potential SBIR|STTR Phase I award under this topic. Finalists selected from the xTech|Search 10 prize competition will be the only firms eligible to submit a SBIR or STTR Phase I proposal under this topic. Proposals submitted to this topic by non-finalists of the xTech|Search 10 competition will not be evaluated. This opportunity will be open for both SBIR and STTR participation.
SBIR: ARM26BX05-NP011
STTR: ARM26TX05-NP002
How to Apply: Visit the xTech|Search 10 competition page to read the full Competition Announcement, topic details, and apply by submitting a white paper here:
https://xtech.army.mil/competitions/
September 10, 2026: White paper submission window opens via link above
October 19, 2026 at 5pm ET: xTech|Search 10 Application deadline via link above
Objective
xTech|Search 10 white papers are NOT submitted to DSIP. Small business concerns that do not submit a concept white paper to the xTech|Search 10 competition through the https://xtech.army.mil/competitions website before the October 19, 2026, deadline will be ineligible to compete or submit a full SBIR|STTR proposal to DSIP. The DSIP proposal submission window tied to this topic is for the finalists of the competition only. Please make sure to visit the xTech|Search 10 competition site and submit your white paper prior to the October 19, 2026 deadline to be considered for award under this topic.
Description
The U.S. Army is seeking innovative technology solutions from eligible small businesses across the U.S. through the Expeditionary Technology Search (xTech|Search) competition. This platform offers participants the opportunity to pitch novel technology solutions—whether a new application for an existing technology or an entirely new technology concept—to the Army, engage with the Department of War (DoW), earn prize money, join an accelerator program and submit a Phase I Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposal.
The U.S. Army FUZE xTech Program, managed under the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)), recognizes the importance of strengthening partnerships with U.S. small businesses by (1) understanding the spectrum of world-class technologies being developed commercially that may benefit the DoW; (2) integrating the sector of non-traditional innovators into the DoW Science and Technology (S&T) ecosystem; and (3) providing expertise and feedback to accelerate, mature, transition, and scale technologies of interest to the DoW.
The xTech|Search 10 competition will consist of four (4) rounds:
- Concept white papers;
- Virtual pitch;
- Finals demonstration event; and
- Opportunity to submit a Phase I Army SBIR or STTR proposal.
The competition will award up to $1,000,000 in cash prizes throughout the competition to selected participants.
- Concept white papers – Up to 50 semifinalists selected will receive a cash prize of $5,000 each and the opportunity to participate in the Part 2 virtual pitch scheduled for January 2027;
- Virtual pitch – Up to 20 finalists selected will receive a cash prize of $20,000 each and an opportunity to demonstrate their solution to a panel of Army and DoW subject matter experts (SMEs) at or around eMerge Americas in Miami in March 2027.
- Finals – The Army intends to select up to three (3) winners live at or around eMerge Americas in Miami in March 2027 to receive an additional cash prize: 1st Place: $200,000, 2nd Place: $100,000, and 3rd Place: $50,000.
- SBIR|STTR Proposal – Following the Finals, the finalists may submit a Phase I Army SBIR or STTR proposal worth up to $300,000 to further develop and demonstrate proof of concept with an Army customer.
Additional details on prize structure and competition can be found in the xTech|Search 10 RFI.
Phase I
This topic is accepting Phase I submissions for a cost limit of up to $300,000 and a 1-6-month period of performance. Only finalists of the xTech|Search 10 competition are permitted to submit a phase I proposal for this topic.
Companies will complete a feasibility study that demonstrates the firm’s competitive technical advantage relative to other commercial products (if other products exist) and develop concept plans for how the company’s technology can be applied to solve an Army problem. Studies should clearly detail and identify a firm’s technology at both the individual component and system levels, provide supporting literature for technical feasibility, highlight existing performance data, showcase the technology’s application opportunities to a broad base of customers outside the defense space, a market strategy for the commercial space, how the technology directly addresses the Army’s modernization area as well as include a technology development roadmap to demonstrate scientific and engineering viability.
At the end of Phase I, the company will be required to provide a concept demonstration of their technology to demonstrate a high probability that continued design and development will result in a Phase II mature product.
Phase II
Produce prototype solutions that can be included in demonstration and experimentation events in operational environments and by Army end-users. In addition, companies will provide a technology transition and commercialization plan for DoW and commercial markets.
Phase III
Complete the maturation of the company’s technology developed in Phase II to technology readiness level 6/7 and produce prototypes to support further development and commercialization. The Army will evaluate each product in a realistic field environment and provide small solutions to stakeholders for further evaluation.
Submission Information
Visit the xTechSearch|10 competition page to read the full Competition Announcement, topic details, and apply by submitting a white paper here: https://xtech.army.mil/competitions/
xTech Help Desk: usarmy.xtech@army.mil
SBIR|STTR Help Desk: usarmy.sbirsttr@army.mil
References:
- https://xtech.army.mil/competitions/
- https://pit.army.mil/about/priorities/
- KEYWORDS: Sensors; Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning; Contested Logistics and Sustainment; Immersive and Wearables
The U.S. Army is seeking innovative technology solutions from eligible small businesses across the U.S. through the Expeditionary Technology Search (xTech|Search) competition. This platform offers participants the opportunity to pitch novel technology solutions—whether a new application for an existing technology or an entirely new technology concept—to the Army, engage with the Department of War (DoW), earn prize money, join an accelerator program and submit a Phase I Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposal.
NOTE: This topic number, ARM26BX05-NP011 (SBIR) and ARM26TX05-NP002 (STTR) – xTech|Search 10, in this release is tied to an Army xTech prize competition, xTech|Search 10. xTech|Search 10 will be used to identify small business concerns that meet the criteria for a potential SBIR|STTR Phase I award under this topic. Finalists selected from the xTech|Search 10 prize competition will be the only firms eligible to submit a SBIR or STTR Phase I proposal under this topic. Proposals submitted to this topic by non-finalists of the xTech|Search 10 competition will not be evaluated. This opportunity will be open for both SBIR and STTR participation.
SBIR: ARM26BX05-NP011
STTR: ARM26TX05-NP002
How to Apply: Visit the xTech|Search 10 competition page to read the full Competition Announcement, topic details, and apply by submitting a white paper here:
https://xtech.army.mil/competitions/
September 10, 2026: White paper submission window opens via link above
October 19, 2026 at 5pm ET: xTech|Search 10 Application deadline via link above
Objective
xTech|Search 10 white papers are NOT submitted to DSIP. Small business concerns that do not submit a concept white paper to the xTech|Search 10 competition through the https://xtech.army.mil/competitions website before the October 19, 2026, deadline will be ineligible to compete or submit a full SBIR|STTR proposal to DSIP. The DSIP proposal submission window tied to this topic is for the finalists of the competition only. Please make sure to visit the xTech|Search 10 competition site and submit your white paper prior to the October 19, 2026 deadline to be considered for award under this topic.
Description
The U.S. Army is seeking innovative technology solutions from eligible small businesses across the U.S. through the Expeditionary Technology Search (xTech|Search) competition. This platform offers participants the opportunity to pitch novel technology solutions—whether a new application for an existing technology or an entirely new technology concept—to the Army, engage with the Department of War (DoW), earn prize money, join an accelerator program and submit a Phase I Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposal.
The U.S. Army FUZE xTech Program, managed under the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)), recognizes the importance of strengthening partnerships with U.S. small businesses by (1) understanding the spectrum of world-class technologies being developed commercially that may benefit the DoW; (2) integrating the sector of non-traditional innovators into the DoW Science and Technology (S&T) ecosystem; and (3) providing expertise and feedback to accelerate, mature, transition, and scale technologies of interest to the DoW.
The xTech|Search 10 competition will consist of four (4) rounds:
- Concept white papers;
- Virtual pitch;
- Finals demonstration event; and
- Opportunity to submit a Phase I Army SBIR or STTR proposal.
The competition will award up to $1,000,000 in cash prizes throughout the competition to selected participants.
- Concept white papers – Up to 50 semifinalists selected will receive a cash prize of $5,000 each and the opportunity to participate in the Part 2 virtual pitch scheduled for January 2027;
- Virtual pitch – Up to 20 finalists selected will receive a cash prize of $20,000 each and an opportunity to demonstrate their solution to a panel of Army and DoW subject matter experts (SMEs) at or around eMerge Americas in Miami in March 2027.
- Finals – The Army intends to select up to three (3) winners live at or around eMerge Americas in Miami in March 2027 to receive an additional cash prize: 1st Place: $200,000, 2nd Place: $100,000, and 3rd Place: $50,000.
- SBIR|STTR Proposal – Following the Finals, the finalists may submit a Phase I Army SBIR or STTR proposal worth up to $300,000 to further develop and demonstrate proof of concept with an Army customer.
Additional details on prize structure and competition can be found in the xTech|Search 10 RFI.
Phase I
This topic is accepting Phase I submissions for a cost limit of up to $300,000 and a 1-6-month period of performance. Only finalists of the xTech|Search 10 competition are permitted to submit a phase I proposal for this topic.
Companies will complete a feasibility study that demonstrates the firm’s competitive technical advantage relative to other commercial products (if other products exist) and develop concept plans for how the company’s technology can be applied to solve an Army problem. Studies should clearly detail and identify a firm’s technology at both the individual component and system levels, provide supporting literature for technical feasibility, highlight existing performance data, showcase the technology’s application opportunities to a broad base of customers outside the defense space, a market strategy for the commercial space, how the technology directly addresses the Army’s modernization area as well as include a technology development roadmap to demonstrate scientific and engineering viability.
At the end of Phase I, the company will be required to provide a concept demonstration of their technology to demonstrate a high probability that continued design and development will result in a Phase II mature product.
Phase II
Produce prototype solutions that can be included in demonstration and experimentation events in operational environments and by Army end-users. In addition, companies will provide a technology transition and commercialization plan for DoW and commercial markets.
Phase III
Complete the maturation of the company’s technology developed in Phase II to technology readiness level 6/7 and produce prototypes to support further development and commercialization. The Army will evaluate each product in a realistic field environment and provide small solutions to stakeholders for further evaluation.
Submission Information
Visit the xTechSearch|10 competition page to read the full Competition Announcement, topic details, and apply by submitting a white paper here: https://xtech.army.mil/competitions/
xTech Help Desk: usarmy.xtech@army.mil
SBIR|STTR Help Desk: usarmy.sbirsttr@army.mil
References:
- https://xtech.army.mil/competitions/
- https://pit.army.mil/about/priorities/
- KEYWORDS: Sensors; Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning; Contested Logistics and Sustainment; Immersive and Wearables